The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame has revealed its Class of 2025, featuring several iconic figures from the sport, including WNBA legends Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles, Cappie Pondexter, and Alana Beard. This announcement was made on Friday, adding excitement for the induction ceremony planned for June 14. Among others in the class are Mark Campbell, who has been a prominent coach at Union University, and Lucille Kyvallos, a trailblazer in coaching at West Chester College and Queens College. Additionally, Danielle Donehew, the executive director of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), will also be honored.
Dana Hart, president of the WBHOF, expressed pride in recognizing these remarkable individuals, stating, “We are honored to pay tribute to seven distinguished legends of this exceptional sport. They exemplify the highest standards in women’s basketball and have made substantial contributions to the sport along with shaping the game’s historical trajectory.”
Sue Bird’s illustrious career is marked by her numerous accolades, including five Olympic gold medals, four WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm, and two NCAA titles during her time at the University of Connecticut. A true pioneer in women’s basketball, the 12-time All-Star also secured four world championships with Team USA before retiring in 2022, coinciding with Sylvia Fowles’ final season.
Fowles, who clinched WNBA championships with the Minnesota Lynx in both 2015 and 2017, was named the MVP of the Finals on both occasions. She shares a remarkable Olympic journey with Bird, having been part of four gold medal-winning teams. Throughout her career, Fowles was recognized on the WNBA all-defensive team eight times, showcasing her defensive prowess.
Alana Beard made her mark as the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year twice and contributed to the Los Angeles Sparks’ championship win in 2016. Meanwhile, Cappie Pondexter captured two WNBA championships with the Phoenix Mercury in 2007 and 2009, where she was named Finals MVP the first year. Pondexter was also a standout at Rutgers University, where she earned Big East Player of the Year honors and guided the Scarlet Knights to impressive back-to-back conference titles in 2005 and 2006. She celebrated Olympic gold alongside Bird and Fowles in 2008.
Lucille Kyvallos’ coaching career spanned from 1962 to 1982, during which she directed West Chester College and Queens College, achieving an impressive winning percentage of 80.91% with an overall record of 311-73. Notably, her Queens team participated in the first-ever women’s college basketball game held at Madison Square Garden, an event that attracted a considerable audience of over 12,000 fans.
Mark Campbell has been at the helm of the women’s basketball program at Union University for 26 years, amassing an impressive record of 742-116. Under his leadership, his team secured NAIA championships in 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2010, solidifying his legacy within collegiate women’s basketball.
As the executive director of the WBCA since 2014, Danielle Donehew has played an integral role in the organization’s development over the past decade. Prior to her role with the WBCA, she gained experience working at her alma mater, Georgia Tech, as well as with the University of Tennessee, the Atlanta Dream, and conferences like the Big East and American Athletic Conference.